Category: Meditations

Over the last few years, I have really gained a confidence in what I know when it comes to yoga. When I first finished my teacher training and met people and teachers with so much experience, I wondered how I could ever feel confident to teach anyone yoga. After years of daily practice, learning from my teachers and even more so from my own trifecta of body, mind and soul, I started to get it. Now I am a yoga teacher and and teach what I know, no more and no less. It feels like this is the way it is meant to be.

Being confident in myself has been a long road in many respects and I have found my greatest teacher of all to be experience. When you speak to people who are getting on in years, they really have something to be respected for without knowing anything else about them. Life experience teaches rhythms, echoes important messages and above all else it removes novelty. It’s sort of funny that when we are young, we seem to think we know everything and much better than our parents because they don’t seem to react the way we do at that age. The truth be known, it is likely because they have been there and done that and know:)

I want to share a story with you that illustrates this novelty because the experience I had was new. The difference is how I managed the situation and how it demonstrates my life experiences and personal wisdom.

Recently I was thinking about going back to work part-time in the dental field which is how I have been trained professionally and worked in for all the years before I had my children. I applied to a place close to home. They were awesome, I did a working interview and we both felt like I was a great fit. But daycare and the odd hours threw up obstacles. I left the place I really felt comfortable leaving my soon to be 3 year old son crying because it wasn’t going to work for us. This was the novelty part- my emotions ruled my demeanour.

The self doubt I began to experience about every aspect of this course of events was overwhelming. I mean, I’m supposed to be able to work with my emotions and calm myself from my daily training and meditation but let’s face it, sometimes life throws a real curve ball and you get tossed down on your ass with your arms and legs flailing around like an upside down ladybug. I was literally losing sleep over my decisions. I didn’t want to lose such an amazing opportunity but once I started to reconnect and regain my ability to decode the messages my heart was delivering to my brain, I knew what was right. I had to let go of the opportunity. The timing wasn’t quite right and I didn’t really know what to expect, going back into the workforce after spending a few years at home.

The dentist and office manager were totally understanding and said that when I am ready, to give them a call and see where they are at. Sweet!! But seriously- it was interesting to observe my behaviour as the situation unfolded. Tension, stress and self doubt filled into my thoughts and feelings. But when you think about it, its okay to experience these feelings and observe how I feel. It is about the realization that this is what is taking place and that ultimately I must fully allow myself to lean into the trust I have on my intuition. It speaks softly, steadily and has never led me down the wrong path. I listen and I let things sink in. Maybe it is age, maybe it is my yoga practice or maybe it’s experience. Who knows? All I know for sure is that I am comfortable with my decision and there are important parts of life that deserve my undivided attention for as long as I am able to do that.

My little boo will only be this tender age once. Though I would like to get back into the work force, waiting a bit longer is the right thing to do. I do want to teach more yoga as well and that is something I can accommodate in my life right now. I can bring the gift of yoga to others and open the door for them to embark on their own journey within, to teach people how to breathe and reconnect with themselves. I have already started to bring this back into my life in a confident way. I am excited to see what is coming and more so to be free from the emotional roller coaster of self doubt I was riding!

Honestly, I hope that each and every one of you is having a fabulous Friday! I truly appreciate you all! I really enjoy reading your comments, please share your thoughts with me! Wishing you smiles, laughs, hugs and happiness always.

I thought I would do something a little different as far as writing goes to try and tap more into my creativity. In doing so I thought I would follow the idea of writing based solely on the inspiration of a word. I have seen blogging groups leave threads open like this and the intention is to help stir this creativity. When I started to think about what word to use, I thought I’d open a dictionary and find one randomly but then suddenly the word tree came into my mind and I went with it…

Tree

Leaves fall off randomly as the wind whips the tree’s branches this way and that. The branches give way with ease, flexibly moving with each gust. With each thrash, seeds fly off and if they are lucky enough to land on the forest floor in a spot where rays of the sunlight shine down to, they will likely germinate and grow. It is purely by chance that they are lucky enough to come into existence and once that miracle occurs, and they manage not to be trampled by animals or eaten, they will be around for a long time. They live for centuries and see many events come to pass. Passively listening and moving slowly as they grow towards the light of the sun. Their rings demonstrate the obstacles they must overcome in times of drought or cold. They wear these as insignificantly as the rings that show their strongest and most plentiful years of growth. Like an iceberg, that which we can see above in all its glory is only but a mere glimpse of the immensity and complexity of what lies below. In silence, they quietly breath in the carbon dioxide from the air and in return provide life giving oxygen for the inhabitants of the earth. They are the custodians of our existence, the artists who paint the beautiful blue hues in our atmosphere and are literally responsible for each and every breath that we take.

The trees are akin to our inner seer, our divinity or force of life. We are born with all of the wisdom required to exist in this form, but are without faculties to grasp it and revel in its blissful glory. Our light is forever an observer, waiting for us to realize and bring to fruition the lessons we have to learn within our lives from our biological existence to our transcendental essence itself. The beauty and grace of our inner light is only revealed in tiny drops and when we least expect it. It is those times when we feel the sudden burst of attuned perfection of alignment in our body mind and soul and they vanish as uncontrollably as they may appear. We unknowingly tap into that sacred part of ourselves at times when we are working within our dharma or true purpose in this world. This is what may drive some to become more trained in the learning of how to witness and in essence become yoga. This is the enmeshed existence of life with an acute awareness of our own divinity, something that is to be experienced only by a tiny fraction of the devoted monks and practitioners of spiritual awakenings.

Like the trees, we all wish to know our purpose and give of it freely without attachment. We are jaded by this attachment which is what leads us to lose touch with our effulgent light, to be drawn into the dark. To feel anger, fear, scorn, hatred and jealousy and that is what draws out the evil that will inevitably hold us back forever.

If you have been to a few yoga classes you have probably seen or at least heard of mala beads. Maybe you have seen them at a metaphysical store or at a booth at the yoga conference. What are those beautiful bead necklaces and what are their significance in the practice of yoga?

In Sanskrit, the term mala means ‘garland.’ They are usually made up of 108 beads and one larger central bead called a guru bead. These are the type of prayer beads used by Buddhists and Hindus. When they are used, a mantra or intention word is repeated with each bead, starting at the guru bead and ending again at this central bead. If the user wishes to do more, the guru bead is never crossed over, rather the beads are flipped and counted away from the guru bead again. Mala beads date back to Hindu religious practices around the 8th century B.C.E.

In Hinduism there are two main branches called Shaivism and Vishnuism. The former uses 32 to 108 rudraksha beads made of seeds from a unique Javan tree. The seeds are rough and separated into 5 sections to represent the 5 faces and personalities of Siva and also represent the rigid lifestyle required by worshippers. Vishnu mala are carved of tulsi wood and have 108 beads.

Buddhist mala have 108 beads which represent the impurities that must be overcome to reach Nirvana. The beads were once only made of the sacred Bodhi tree but now are crafted from many other materials as well. Healing Mala may be made of gemstones or crystals which have different energies, colours and properties that may aid in different healing practices.

The crystal mala used in healing may use stones specific to correct an imbalance. For example, I went for an colour aura scan and had a slight imbalance in my solar plexus or third chakra. A crystal used for healing this imbalance is citrine. I got a citrine mala bracelet to help me create balance here. It is very interesting to learn about crystals and how their properties may be used to help work with the subtle aspects of our energetic being. It is something that I am new to and wish to learn more about.

Anyone may use mala beads and the meaning they will bring to each will be individual in their prayer and meditation practice. According to Hinduism, they are used by the right hand and the thumb is used to move from one bead to the next. The index finger should not touch the beads through the transfer and the beads are draped over the middle finger.

To begin a meditation practice using a mantra or an affirmation is a great way to stay focused and really with your practice. Using a mala to help you count your repetitions will allow you to completely focus on your intention. It is easy for the mind to wander sometimes, which is okay, but the mala is another helpful way to increase concentration.

Here is a simple practice for you to use a mala:

First decide on your mantra, affirmation or intention word. This will be what you repeat with each bead and the focus of your meditation.
Sit as comfortably and as tall as you can. Take a few deep breaths by inhaling through the nose while letting your chest and belly open. Exhale through your nose equally and fully. Try closing your eyes and taking 5 deep breaths this way.

Hold your mala in your right hand with the mala draped over your middle finger and in your palm. Bring your thumb to the bead just past the guru bead. Begin your mantra and use your thumb to move to the next bead with each repetition. Keep your eyes closed to enhance your focus. When you come around the mala and back to the guru bead you may finish or flip the mala to go back around again. When you have completed your meditation, sit and take a few more deep breaths before opening your eyes. Hopefully you will have a positive experience that will stay with you for the rest of your day:)

Like this:

This meditation is one that I learned years ago and practice often. It takes about 10 minutes, but the calming softness it leaves within me lasts much, much longer. If meditation is new to you, I promise that this one has just enough to focus on to help keep your mind from wandering. It is a good one to practice anytime, but I find it particularly helpful when I feel stressed or anxious.

To start this meditation, find a comfortable place where your body doesn’t need to hold itself up. I like to prop pillows behind me while in bed. Relaxing on the couch is a good spot too. Make sure there are no noises you can control in the background, like the tv or music. Your arms and legs should not be crossed. Let your arms relax beside your body and your legs apart and relaxed at the knees. Closing your eyes will help with the visualization in this meditation as well. If it isn’t possible to meet all these recommendations, make yourself as comfortable as possible wherever you are. Years ago I did this meditation on the go-train so it can really be done anyplace.

I have included a voice recording of this meditation below as well. Have a listen:)

Begin by taking a few deep breaths in through the nose and out through the nose. Try to relax the tummy and let it move freely with the breath. Then begin to envision a faint golden yellow ball up in the sky. As you breath, watch it slowly move down towards you and then settling under your feet. It is about the size of a basketball.

Feel a gentle warmth coming from the orb of light on the bottoms of your feet. It is soft and comforting to you. The golden light is the hue of a beautiful morning sunrise in the middle of summertime. Feel the warmth begin to move into your whole feet up to your ankles. The golden ball has expanded and enveloped your feet. As you breath, feel into your feet. Let all the muscles, tendons, vessels and bones relax. If you feel anyplace that has tension or discomfort, invite the light into that place in your feet and feel it pass.

Now feel the light permeate its way up inside your legs. The golden ball is embracing your legs to the level of your knees. Again, feel the light moving through the tissues in this part of your body. Let it soften you, release any tension. The light spirals over your upper legs to your hips. Your entire pelvis is now also bathing in the beautiful comforting warmth of the golden orb. Breathe into your pelvis, breathe into your legs. Let the light find its way into all the tissues and bones and structures of this deep root of your body. Find any areas that need the comfort of the warm light and breathe. Breathe in warm softness. Exhale tension and stress.

The ball of light is expanding now to engulf your entire torso. Your abdomen, chest, back and organs. Your lungs feel the warmth. Your heart beats and brings with it healing light to your body. Take time to let go of stress, feel the shoulders release, the rhythm of your breathing is comforting. Now the light is spiraling out and around your arms down into your hands and out your fingertips. It is sparkling as it relaxes them. You feel warmth in your throat and softness permeating into your face and around your head. The golden ball is surrounding your entire being and you feel so content and calm. Breathe in warm softness. Exhale tension and stress. Sit and breathe as long as you wish or if you are doing this in bed, allow yourself to drift off to sleep.

This visualization helps to reconnect with and relax the body and steady the mind. I enjoy it every time I do it. If your mind gets distracted at any time, just call it back and continue on. Some days I am more focused than others and that’s okay. Go with the flow of your breath and each time you use this calming meditation, you will feel soft and calmness come over your being. Enjoy!